Envelope sealer and opener



(No Model.)

1J. W.TURNER.

ENVBLO'PB SBALBR AND OPENER.

Patented Deo. 28, 1886.

afferra e 1y.

NITED 4STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN IV. TURNER, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

ENVELOPE SEALER AND OPENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Lettersv Patent No. 354,954, dated December 28, 1886.

Application filed October 1, 1886. Serial No. 215,071. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, JOHN W. TURNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Envelope Sealers and Openers; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The object of this improvement is a simple and economically-constructed device for the convenient and rapid moistening of postagestamps suitably for their application toen velopes, and it is also adapted forconveniently opening envelopes for the removal of their contents. 'Ihese results are attained by the means illustrated inthe drawings herewith iiled as part hereof, in which the same letters of reference denote the same'parts in .the different views.

Figure l represents atop view, with part broken away, of a device embodying the 'features of my improvement. Fig. 2 is a side view ofthe same, showing one of the parts in an adjusted position. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section taken on the line x of Fig. l. Fig. 4 represents a plate of thin sheet metal, from which the casing or body of the device is formed. j

An inclosing-case for a sponge, B, or other suitable absorbent of moisture is formed from the plate shown in Fig. 4 by flanging or bending the plate parts d to positionsl at right angles to the part A. The part A is then bent toward the part A until its outer sidecomcs in line with the edges of the flanged parts e. Before the plate is bent together `in this manner the part A is provided at its end with a bend or inclination adapted to form a depression in the body of the casing, substantially as shown at A2 in Fig. 3.

The flanges a a are out away at their front ends in the manner shown at a to avoid sharp corners, and such inclined parts are provided at their edges with inward bends a3, which engage with the casing part A and secure the position of the same.

too rapid iiow of moisture to the outer end of 6o the absorbent B. The casing-plate is provided with an extension, c, which is reversely bent, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, in order to avoidsharp corners in the device.

The casing is provided at one side'with a flanged plate, C, secured to the part a by solder or other suitable means. The plate C is provided with a longitudinal slot, c. (Fully shown in Fig. 2,.) D is the knife-blade provided at its rear end with a flange, d, which projects through the slot c in the casing C, within which the bladeD is arranged to slide. The flange d at the end of the blade D-will prevent the latter from getting out of the casing Gand secure the inward adjustment of the blade DI The absorbent B is to be made as wide or slightly wider than a postage-stamp. By placing the device in water the absorbent B will become saturated by the water, which will enter the casing atits end and between the fianges a a and the part A. Moisture maythen be rapidly and uniformly applied to postagestamps by going over the same withgthe exposed end of the absorbent B, and by adjusting the blade D to the position shown in Fig.

2the blade may be applied to opening envelopes.Y The vblade may be held in the position shown by a finger of the operator being set against the flange (Z.

Having explained the features of my improvement, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The slotted casing,and the blade adapted to slide therein, in combination with the casing inclosing the absorbent, substantially as specied, for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereoflhave affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN w. TURNER.y

Witnesses:

J onN F. AToHEsoN, J AMES M. AToHEsoN. 

